Rear Locker Handling In Ice & Snow?

[nosigma]

Moved to Virginia from SoCal in August. I did some searching on the NE site but found nothing conclusive (other than conclusive disagreements on open versus autolockers). I am planning on pulling out my mini spool before winter hits the Mid Atlantic and we start getting ice (common) and snow (occassional) on the roads here. In SoCal I did not daily drive my XJ but I daily drive it here so handling on the highway with an autolocker is of interest. I would like some opinions on what I should put in (or should I just leave the mini-spool in and eat the tires up?). A selectable locker or full carrier locker is out of the price range right now. Should I go open or put in a lunch box (suggestions?). I have an AW4 and an NP231 (no 4wd on hard surfaces). I am most concerned about how an autolocker would behave on patchy snow and ice conditions (what we typically get down here). Opinions based on experience (good and bad) are desired.

Thanks

John

 

[MoparManiac]

I can tell you that my XJ stock with opens last winter was pretty damn good in the snow. Never once did I feel that it got out of control, granted I drove for the conditions as well. I can't compare that to a locker though as I'm one of the unfortunate that hasn't gotten one yet.

 

[53guy]

It will really all depend on your style of driving. If you're the type to hammer it and go, you'll have a side kick no matter what you put in the rear, so you might as well just leave the spool in and have fun. If you're a control freak and can't stand it when people stand on the pedal, go open and you'll never kick out to the side with a gental pedal. It varys in between, but I find that you'll have a similar/blended effect with an auto locker in the rear. You'll get some kick out if you aren't paying attention to what you do (ie, your wife or buddy is driving and she doesn't realize you've got a locked rear). I think you'll get better traction if you have a lunchbox locker in the rear if you're not going crazy on the road. However, on the flip side, you're driving style may be condusive to terriable side kick during normal driving if you never let off the pedal. A selectable locker is the way to go if you're just not sure. That way you can be open and drive like stock and then be able to lock it whenever you'd like, but your pocket is going to feel it. Just my .02

 

[sidriptide]

sounds to me like you've never drivin in snowy/icy conditions.. go open bcause with a spool you don't only get your rear sliding around on you, but in turns your rear will try to "push" the front rather than allow the turn.

go open for the winter and slap the spool back in when spring rolls around.

 

[clean96XJ]

I have an open dif and drive in a lot snow and ice. Believe me you do not want a locked dif when you are in the middle of a turn and it gets icy..

On another note... If you lock it, why not put studs in the tires. You should be in great shape then.

 

[djblade311]

yea a traklock (limited slip) or open are ideal in snow n ice

 

[Del00XJ]

I have a fullcase Detroit and 4.10's in my 99'... Delaware... Like most other places we get the usual dustings but every once and a while a good 4-6 inches. I put my Detroit in during the winter and had to drive on the edge of me seat all season. It's like being in the rain... not quite, but being only 20 and usually liking the occasional powerslide the locker doesn't bother me. That and a quick step on the throttle makes those tailgater's in the snow have a second thought. So, I guess it really depends on your driving personality. I personally like people's faces when they see a drive sliding at them... You may be (most likely) different...